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The Skyburner Widow Maker is an awesome kite and would be a definite upgrade. The WW is pricey but well worth the bucks.

The Premier Widow is essentially the same kite, but without some of the refinements of the WW. It is a kite that is built in China under license from Jon T, who is the designer. The WW is built in the US.

Norm,I've flown the SF 2.3 and have tons of hours on the Premiere Widow. I don't know if I would characterize the Widow as a step up, and whether or not you click with it is based on (opinion) many factors, most of which are beyond my understanding. My honest opinion about the Widow is its a very tough kite, likes a bit of wind and tricks really easily. Its not as refined or well balanced as my top end kites, but then the price is really reasonable. It has a bit of oversteer. For some flyers that's a deal breaker. Its currently one of my favorite kites but that should mean absolutely nothing to you because we're different flyers. I would suggest, and isn't this predictable, finding one you can try before buying. Thing is, for the money its hard to go wrong with the Widow.

The build quality and materials on the Widow are comparable to your Nighthawk, Skyshark framing, APA connectors. The upper spreader wear patch is a bit funky IMO, otherwise the build quality on the ones I've seen has been good. The additional weight of the P300 rods over the Nitro's used on the Skyburner version is responsible for the additional oversteer I think, not really noticeable except in lower winds.

If you can swing the extra for a Muse you will be getting top notch craftsman construction if that is your main concern.

Don't know where your located but if you can make it to the Roseville fest have Dan bring that Widow, I'll have a Nitro framed Muse & Skyburner Widow Makers on board for comparison.

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Norm,I can only comment on my Widow, but its held up really well. My friend who has the Silver Foxes has had something come off, usually unglued, on each of them. Not a huge deal, but with the Widow I just hooked up the lines and never looked back.

Old post, but I'll respond anyhow.I have a widow, and have many hours on it so far. It has held up great imo. The sail stretches when its wet (mostly on the spine), so that can be a pain, but Im talkin flying in the rain-seriously soaked.I've tore a section on the spine of my sail dead launching, so I would recommend some re-enforcement there (I used black duct tape), as well as re-enforce just below the yoyo stoppers on the L.E. and the trailing edge around the standoffs (reduces wear from roll ups).I agree with mikenchico that the upper spreader wear patch is nerfed. Mine wore through the other side in about 15 hours of flight time. I have since cut an oval piece of fuzzy-side velcro and adhered it to that spot. Works great. The only part so far I had to replace has been one of my standoffs. I shredded it while I was sitting down, flying in 25+Mph winds, so that technically was my fault. heh.All in all a great and tough kite, and very trickable.I would seriously recommend installing a Leech line through the trailing edge. I have on mine, and it seems to have increased its light wind range a bit, and has curbed some of that nasty oversteer (as well as making the kite silent). Just watch out in the higher wind ranges -- that leech line has a tendancy to put some real stress on the lower leading edge. I've already gone through a wingtip nock before I learned to loosen it up in high winds.

Depending on if you get an older model or not, there have been a few modifications that premier has suggested.I'll copy and paste an email I have from them.

Quote from: premier

Just off of the phone with Jon T:

There are a couple of things on the earlier models, that are causing the problems. both of them are an easy fix.

1) There were inserts placed in the upper LE fitting. These are keeping the Upper spreader from going all the way in. The nose needs to be pulled in a bit. His suggestion was to remove the insert by, squeezing the fitting with pliers, to break the insert. Use any type of tool to remove the pieces. This will allow the spreader to seat fully.

2) The bridle needs to be stretched a bit. Those with significant time on the kite, may not need to.

3) The way that the pigtail is tied to the bridle is causing it to shorten the legs. If you are comfortable with tying a Prussic knot, you can remove the pigtail and tie properly. If not, it shouldn't be a problem as long as the bridle is able to reach the proper lengths.

Bridle lengths, with the upper outhaul on the 3rd knot are...

Inhaul 22 3/4"Upper outhaul 20 1/2"Lower outhaul 22 1/2"

This has been corrected and they should be fine, from here on. Dealers, either have been, or are being notified.

If you can afford it, get the Skyburner Widow Maker it has a better low wind range than the Widow. I know that 2 x the price is a lot but if your winds get soft you won't be thinking about the cost but enjoying the WM instead.

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